my latest movie

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

"All right kids, let's go to bed. I'm tired of this day, I need a new one."
(my favorite line from the film)

This was a touching story of a mother (played by Julianne Moore) in the 50's who held her family together through some really tough times, by winning various contests (based on a true story).

Emma's Walking!

Emma has been taking 1 or 2 steps by herself for a couple of weeks now. Last night she took quite a few steps across the room, several times. She hasn't really done much today, but I think she'll be getting around pretty well here in the next few weeks. It's funny because my mom called right before, asking if Emma was walking yet. We have yet to catch it on video, she never wants to do it when we get the camera out. I will post a clip whenever I finally get it. Below are a few pictures of some of her accomplishments. She can now ride the little car & her favorite thing is to sit on the bottom step of the stairs, it's like her little secret spot (so cute).

A Visit from Mom & Dad

We had a fun visit with my parents this last week, despite my mom getting really sick with the flu! Eliška was in tears yesterday as they left. We will definitely miss them! I can't wait until they move here next year. Their cabin is now under construction in Bear Lake, so we are all very excited about that! We went to Maddox in Brigham City (a really good steak house) for my parents' 32nd Wedding Anniversary. They had their wedding brunch there years ago. The girls had a lot of fun doing crafts with Grandma. Dan & I were able to get a few dates in too, which is always nice.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Here are some recent pictures of the girls' favorite activities: dress-up, playing kitchen, dolls, & Barbie movies.

Doll Hospital

I'm so excited, I found my American Girl Samantha doll last night!

I was stupid as a kid & cut her hair & put green mascara in it & on her eyelashes, & painted her nails. So, I've been thinking about how I could fix her when I saw this add for Doll repairs.They

can replace the hair & do a clean up of the doll. They come back with this little hospital gown & "Get Well, Soon" balloon (so cute).I still have a few of the clothing & accessories for Samantha. It'll be nice for the girls to play with when they get a little older (& let's admit it, I'll be playing too!). Until Eliška's old enough for the big dolls, I'm going to get this bitty baby doll for 3 yr. olds. I can't wait until her Birthday! It's fun having little girls!

My Top Four List

tagged by Becky...

Jobs I've had: (in chronological order)
1. Funky Monkey (kind of like Chuck-E-Cheese)
2. The National Scrip Center (filling orders of various gift certificates for different companies, I still don't really get it)
3. Subway
4. full time mom

Movies I can watch over and over:
1. Anne of Green Gables series (just watched it on tv this weekend)
2. Pride & Prejudice (the one w/ Colin Firth)
3. Zoolander (it's so dumb, I know, but I just can't stop laughing whenever it's on tv)
4. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (possibly my favorite movie ever)

Places I've lived:
1. Santa Rosa, CA
2. Provo, UT
3. Orem, UT
4. Lehi, UT
(sounds like your list, Becky)

Favorite T.V. Shows:
1. The Office
2. Lost
3. Psych
4. American Idol

Places I've been on Vacation:
1. Disney World
2. Bahamas
3. Canada (can't remember which part, I was a kid)
4. Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Favorite Dishes:
1. Chinese Pepper Steak
2. Pot Roast & mashed potatoes
3. this spicy sausage pasta dish @ Macaroni Grill
4. toasted Pastrami & Swiss sandwich on Rye bread w/ spicy mustard

Websites I visit:
1. Netflix
2. American Girl dolls
3. Ikea
4. Pottery Barn

Places I'd rather be right now:
1. (same as Becky) Ikea (maybe I will when Em wakes up...)
2. somewhere nice & tropical like Hawaii
3. Cracker Barrel, eating a nice breakfast
4. 7 Peaks waterslide park

Now, I tag:
1. Valerie
2. Kassidy
3. Amber
4. Emily
& anyone else who wants to!

bittersweet

Well, I haven't nursed Emma since Sunday. It was an unexpected & abrupt stop, but she started refusing me & getting really upset every time I tried nursing her. She just likes me to rock her now before naps (which have now gone down to 1X a day) & bedtime. I thought I would be so happy, but I'm kind of sad. I thought it would take longer. I kind of miss that closeness. I feel really out of place right now because I've been nursing or pregnant for almost 4 years now. On Sunday, I was able to fast for the first time in forever! It was good. I'm still kind of in shock that I have my body to myself. It is very weird! However, I know that I desperately need some time before I'm ready for baby #3. Dan & I are looking forward to our first ever trip alone together (since starting our family) sometime next Spring. The kids will finally be old enough to be left with their grandparents. We are thinking Eastern Europe where Dan served his mission or Disney World. I'm not sure if I want to go to another country the first time I leave the kids, we'll see though. Anyway, it is nice that Dan was able to put Em to bed tonight & I guess I can take off this pony tail holder on my wrist that I was using to remember which side to nurse on! Next feat: potty-training Elli. I know it's time.

Lagoon

We had so much fun at this amusement park in Farmington, we practically spent the whole day there, we didn't leave till closing! Dan's company plans a trip there every summer, in the past we couldn't do much because the kids were so little. This time we brought Dan's sister, Katie, so we were able to take turns going on rides.
Emma's first carousal ride
I was surprised at how brave Eliška was! She wanted to go on all the kiddie rides, even though she got kinda scared on some of them!

It was SO cute seeing the girls ride together on this little car! I was picturing them as teenagers!
They loved this little boat ride too


Eliška loved this roller coaster


This ride went high up & then dropped a few different times. Elli got SO scared! I felt bad, but afterward she said she liked it.

I didn't take any pictures at the water park area because we put the camera in a locker. We had so much fun though on all the waterslides. I hadn't been on one since I was like 13! Such a fun day!